Previous | Consider these things when filing your tax return Next | How to safely use digital banking
February 21, 2024 / Matt Sheibley
Tips for using peer-to-peer payment apps

Tips for using peer-to-peer payment apps

Whether you’re splitting the bill at a restaurant with friends, paying back your parents, or buying snacks at a sports event, it’s hard to beat the convenience of peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, Google Pay, Cash App, and PayPal.

With these apps, you don’t have to worry about finding an ATM or always carrying cash. Instead, P2P apps are typically linked to your bank account and let you send or receive money instantly.

While there is no denying the speed and convenience of P2P apps, they aren’t risk-free, so make sure you’re aware of potential pitfalls before you hit Send.

Once It’s Sent, It’s Gone

When you use peer-to-peer payments, all you need is someone’s username, email address, or phone number. You don’t know their account details, and they don’t know yours. Transfers are typically free and fast.

But before you fire off money, make sure you’re sending it to someone you know and trust. Because once that money is gone, it’s typically gone for good. This means that if someone stiffs you on a purchase – like concert tickets that turn out to be fake or payment for a product that never arrives – there isn’t much you can do to get your money back. This is true even if you use an app like Zelle, which is commonly integrated with banks, because if you send the money, you’ve technically “authorized” the transaction.

Exercise major caution before using peer-to-peer payments with people you don’t know and remember it’s best to stick with friends and family.Graphic of one phone sending payment to another phone over a map of the world.

Check Twice, Send Once

Even if you’re sending payment to someone you know, it’s still easy to mess up. Are they HenrySmith21 or HenrySmith22? Double-check you’ve got the right person before you send a payment. You could send a small amount, like $1, to verify before following up with a larger payment. Or, if you’re sending payment for the first time, some apps ask for the last four-digits of a person’s phone number.

Be extra careful with requested payments. Peer-to-peer apps are an easy target for scammers. Double-check or triple-check before paying requested amounts even from people you know. Scammers can easily impersonate someone from your social feed by changing their username and profile picture. Reach out to them outside the app to confirm that the request is legit.

Know Your Fees

There is no cost to send or receive money with many peer-to-peer apps, but most have fees for added services. For instance, most offer free balance transfer to your linked bank account within one to three days but include a surcharge for instant transfer. This amount varies depending on the app.

Peer-to-peer apps usually draw from the balance in your account or your linked bank account. But if you use a credit card to make P2P payments instead, you’ll be hit with a transaction fee, too. It might seem small, but those extra amounts add up over time.

Use Common Sense

With any payments that include social posts – like emoji-filled Venmo notes – act maturely and be smart about what you post. Even posts set to private can be used in legal disputes.

Make sure your P2P apps have password or other protections, like Face ID or two-factor authentication, so someone can’t pick up or “borrow” your phone and use the app to siphon money from your account.

It’s best to keep your running balance low. Peer-to-peer apps aren’t a great place to store or save money. Don’t view them as a replacement for traditional bank accounts. Think of them instead as a convenient supplement, and be careful about how and when you use them.

 

Matt Sheibley is community office manager at F&M Trust’s Boiling Springs and Carlisle Crossing locations. 

Recent Articles
How to safely use digital banking
How to safely use digital banking

How to safely use digital banking

October 03, 2024 / Ray Wills

It’s never too early to save for the holidays
It’s never too early to save for the holidays

It’s never too early to save for the holidays

September 26, 2024 / Pheonix Gilbert

How to set SMART financial goals
How to set SMART financial goals

How to set SMART financial goals

September 19, 2024 / Pheonix Gilbert

Why it’s important to invest financially early in your career
Why it’s important to invest financially early in your career

Why it’s important to invest financially early in your career

September 05, 2024 / Warren Hurt

Is it a good idea to pay off my mortgage early?
Is it a good idea to pay off my mortgage early?

Is it a good idea to pay off my mortgage early?

August 22, 2024 / Erin Sunday

How to save on back-to-school shopping
How to save on back-to-school shopping

How to save on back-to-school shopping

August 15, 2024 / Megan Brindle

Avoiding the pitfalls of debt and overusing credit
Avoiding the pitfalls of debt and overusing credit

Avoiding the pitfalls of debt and overusing credit

August 08, 2024 / Dave Winters

Teaching children to save money
Teaching children to save money

Teaching children to save money

July 24, 2024 / Mary Kate Mumper

What to consider when weighing a job offer
What to consider when weighing a job offer

What to consider when weighing a job offer

July 17, 2024 / Levi Crouse

Join our e-newsletter

Sign up for our e-newsletter to get new content each month.

NOTICE: YOU ARE LEAVING F&M TRUST!

You are now leaving the F&M Trust website. Links to third-party sites are provided for your convenience. Such sites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security or accessibility standards as ours. F&M Trust neither endorses nor guarantees offerings of the third-party providers, nor is F&M Trust responsible for the security, content or availability of third-party sites, their partners or advertisers.